Louisa May Alcott shines her brightest in this collection of two wonderful holiday stories that evoke the true meaning of the season - charity, hope, kinship, and love.

A CHRISTMAS DREAM, AND HOW IT CAME TRUE

Ten-year-old Effie lives the life most children dream of - with every day filled with delicious treats and wonderful toys. Christmas holds no special place in her heart until one night she experiences a dream that will forever change the meaning of Christmas for her. In it, she meets a group of under privileged children and she is inspired to create a Christmas they will never forget. She enlists the help of her mother and nanny and together they offer up a Christmas that provides joy and hope to those less fortunate than she. In the process, her sense of appreciation for everything in her life is ignited and she is reminded that the greatest gift of all is the gift of giving.

ROSA’S TALE

It is said that every Christmas Eve, for one hour’s time beginning at the magical hour of midnight, animals are given the gift of speech. Imagining all that her equine friend, Rosa, might have to say, and eager to surprise her with a wonderful holiday feast, young Belinda is shocked to hear the sad story of Rosa’s life and her fears of what the future might hold.

Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) is the author of the beloved Little Women, which was based on her own experiences growing up in New England with her parents and three sisters. More than a century after her death, Louisa May Alcott’s stories continue to delight young readers.